Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-24
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.


Charles F. Smith, Baker s. Hamilton.
Bookkeeper, Cannot Be Found.
The family and friends of Charles F
Smith, bookkeeper with Baker & Hamil.
ton, are much distressed in consequence Of
his mysterious disappearance Saturday
afternoon, when he quietly walked out Of
the Office of that firm, about O'Clock,
leaving his coat and overcoat hanging in
their accustomed place, and wearing knit
jacket over his vest. He was seen walking
away from the store, and since than he has
been lost to sightas completely, apparently,
as though the earth had opened and swal-
lowed him. At first his disappearance was
kept quiet, as it was believed he would
soon be heard from but last evening it had
become quite widely known. Meanwhile
much inquiry and search had been made
for him, but without success. A rumor
gained currency that he had been dis
covered to be a defaulter, and in conse-
quence had taken himself out of the way
Inquiry addressed to those who are in
position to know revealed the following
facts in this connection. Mr.. Smith had
overdrawn his account with the firm some
time ago, but his employers were aware of
the fact, though the amount was perhaps
greater than was supposed. Last Friday
two experts were sent up from the San
Francisco house
TO GO OVER THE BOOKS,
And see that they were all correct. in
which work Manager C. H. Hubbard
assisted. Friday evening two entries which
looked wrong were found, one being In the
sum of 800, and the other 5000. Saturday
morning the experts found a mistake
amounting to $1,000, and called upon some
of the clerks to assist them in going over
figures, but nothing was said to Mr. Smith,
who, however, doubtless surmised that
errors had been found, and became much
worried and excited in consequence. A
further examination of the books showed
that, as regarded the $1,000, it was only an
error in bookkeeping which Mr.. Smith
had at first attended to by forcing bal
ance, but in a few days afterwards it came
out all right. The examination of the
accounts has not been completed, but so far
all that have been found wrong, or appar-
emily wrong, are the two entries concerning
the $500 and 5000, and the looseness shown
in the manner the $1,000 entry had been
made. There was certainly nothing in
this to cause an ordinary man to do any
tiihS lash UCCdloc vi tuc ldClS DtlilS
covered; but Mr.. Smith is reported to have
been
A sINGULARLY EXCITABLE MAN,
A very small worry being sufficient to
cause him extreme nervousness. About a
month ago burglars entered the store and
operated upon the safes. One they sue
ceeded in opening, and, taking out shot
sack filled with old and rare coins, belong
tn Mr HrrhharA fho,r cd ito
but were not pleased with them
sufficiently to carry them off. They then
turned their attention to the main safe,
which Mr.. Smith used in the general bust
ness of the establishment, and in their
efforts to open it wrenched off one of its
door handles and did other damage, but did
not reach its interior. Two detectives were
sent up from San Francisco to endeavor to
work up the burglary, but they did not sue
coed. Mr.. Smith and other employees were
closely questioned, in the hope of getting
some clue by which the identity of the
burglars could be discovered, and the ex-
element consequent upon the investigation
caused him such
MENTAL DISTRESS,
That he has not seemed to be exactly
- right" since, and it is feared that his
mind became deranged TO some extent.
Such being the case, there is reason to be-
lieve that his condition would be rendered
much worse by the anxiety and uneasiness
caused by the examination of his books.
He made up his cash before he went away
on Saturday, and, on examination yester-
day it was found to be all right. The safe
keys he placed in drawer of his desk be-
fore going out, and it is not believed that
be had with him any money beyond some
small change. There are many circum-
stances connected with his disappearance
that seem to warrant the belief that he may
have committed suicide, but his friends can
so, but think he has wandered off some
where by himself, in confusion of mind,
and will presently be heard from. He is
about 80 years of age, of exemplary habits,
has wife and three children, and a very
pleasant home at Eighteenth and II streets.